Politics

CHICAGO (CBS) ― On the last day of early voting, officials are reporting that more than 400,000 people in the city and suburban Cook County have already turned out to cast their ballots.

More than 225,000 people had voted at the city's 51 early voting locations as of poll closing Wednesday, according to the Chicago Board of Elections. 

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Additionally, more than 212,000 voters have cast their ballots at suburban Cook County's 44 sites since the start of early voting on Oct. 13. Of those people, about 14,000 voted between poll opening and 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the Cook County Clerk's office reports.

According to previous reports from the clerk's office, the busiest suburban sites have been Orland Park, Wheeling, Matteson, South Holland and Evanston.

"The response to early voting is monumental," Clerk David Orr said in a release. "Voters are willing to wait at busy sites to cast ballots. It's inspiring to see so many people determined to participate in this election."

Early voters have queued up all day Thursday at the County Building, but the lines kept moving.

At the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building, 69 W. Washington St., they had to open the polls half an hour early because so many people were ready to vote. One voter could hardly contain herself.

"I can't wait to be a part of electing Barack Obama for president in one week!" she said.

So much for her secret ballot.

"It's kind of exciting that this many people are energized to vote," said early voter Candace Meyers.

At an early voting spot in the largely African-American Ashburn neighborhood, the line was so long some people waited up to two hours to cast their ballot. One voter never thought she'd see the day when she'd vote for a black presidential candidate.

"Never dreamed of it," Phyllis McGhee said. "My mom said years ago that you can become anything you want and the president of the United States wasn't one of them."

Now, she said, that's changed, and that's a very good thing.

Another library, this one in a largely Polish and Latino neighborhood on the Northwest Side had no long lines. It was, walk right in, sit right down, then cast your vote, sometimes with the help of Polish and Spanish translators.

"At the end I pressed the wrong button so I needed help. So I raised my hand and right away an attendant came and helped me out and it was all done," early voter Sarahi Guerra said.

For some, it was an emotional experience.

"I just got happier and happier the closer I got to the line," said first-time voter Crystal Weatherby. "I've never voted before, and I really feel like, although it's a lot of people in the world, I really feel like my one vote can really help make a difference."

"Our pocketbooks are crying. We are suffering as a people; as a nation," said Etienne Davis. "So it's time for us to change; make some drastic changes in our society."

"It makes me very happy to see that people are taking their responsibility seriously," said Craig Burrows. "This is a very important election."

"I think this crowd is great," said Fachin Walker. "I think Chicago really came out and supported the voting election process. I think it's wonderful."

Early voting ends Thursday, but voters in Cook County who were unable to participate and can provide a valid excuse why they cannot vote on Election Day will be allowed to vote absentee in person at one of Clerk David Orr's six offices from Friday through Monday.

Allowable excuses include absence from the county on Election Day, religious reasons, jury duty, work as an election official or at a polling place and disability.

In Indiana, early voting continues through noon Monday.

Early voters have been coming out in record numbers since the polls opened on Oct. 13.

In Chicago, 25 percent of all registered voters are doing it early. Statewide, 700,000 people have voted early in Illinois.

Those votes are handled separately from those cast on Election Day, but they cannot be counted early. They are tabulated after the polls close on Election Day.

Because early ballots require separate handling from those cast in precinct polling places Nov. 4, a former chairman of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners fears it may be Nov. 5 before most are counted.

"I'd say more like 8 or 9 the next morning, and then it won't be final. It'll be close to final, but it won't be final," said Michael LaVelle, a veteran election watcher.

LaVelle foresees the biggest voter turnout here since the 1960 election of President John F. Kennedy. LaVelle's turnout projections are 93 percent of active registered voters in Chicago, 91 percent in suburban Cook County, 89 percent in the collar county suburbs and 87 percent down state.

Local election officials say they are prepared for the onslaught.

"We could have in precincts that are very crowded about an hour delay, but I still think that they'll have enough results coming in that you'll get a real good feel and experts know which precincts to look at," said Cook County Clerk David Orr. "You'll have a real good feel by the 10 o'clock news, I think you'll know."

CBS 2's Joanie Lum, Mike Parker and Mike Flannery contributed to this report.

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